Selfsoothing

One of the things that many survivors of trauma do to help themselves self regulate is have a comfort item. A blanket, a stuffed animal, a photo — something they can physically hold to help ground them when they feel triggered. For me it's a small army of stuffed sloths. And by small, I mean like 30 stuffed sloths of different sizes and materials. I like to bury myself in them like a blanket and it helps me feel less alone or afraid.

Do you have a comfort item? If so, what is it and why do you love it? How does it help you feel safer? Share below.

#Trauma #PTSD #CPTSD #Comfort #Selfsoothing

Whenever I am watching TV or movies, anything except comedy, I continually hum, and have done so all my life. Sometimes I hum an actual tune, but in the vast majority of the time, I hum  just 2 or 3 random notes, which I will repeat for really long periods of time. Sometimes it is in unison with a main note in the background music, or a harmony,  but most times the notes have nothing to do with the music soundtrack. As you can imagine, it distracts and irritates other people to varying degrees. My solution, since I haven't been able to stop it, is just to watch alone. If you still don't understand what I am talking about, imagine sitting next to someone humming the cello notes to the theme from JAWS while you are trying to concentrate on an episode of The Gilmore Girls, or Dateline, or Law & Order.  I've done this my whole life, and it soothes me while at the same time it embarrasses me because I can't stop without starting up again a couple of minutes later, usually unbeknownst to me. I'm not actually looking for a cure for this. I just want to know if I am the only one, and does anybody know why I might do it, or where it comes from? Thanks for your time. Peace.♧

#Humming #ADHD #CPTSD #DistractMe #Anxiety #hums #BipolarDisorder #Bipolar2Disorder #GeneralizedAnxietyDisorder #Autism #Aspergers #PervasiveDevelopmentalDisorders #ASD #AutismSpectrumDisorders #Stimming #stim #BodyFocusedRepetitiveBehaviors #BFRBAwarenessWeek #ADHD #CombinedPresentationADHD #noise #Music #Selfsoothing #Soothing #Calming #Depression #neurodiverse #neurodivergent #distraction #ObsessiveCompulsiveDisorder #obsess #obssess #Singing #ThroatSinging #noise #Movies #TV #Drama #Fidgety #restless    #DisruptiveImpulseControlAndConductDisorders #impulsive #compulsion #Habit #habitual #Misophonia #

When you notice that you are in the midst of a trauma response, what do you do to pull yourself out of that response? Do you journal? Listen to music? Call a friend? What is your go-to method for self soothing?

I'll go first: If Im being honest, I'm still not great at recognizing I'm feeling triggered until the train has left the station. But...I have gotten better at self regulating faster than I used to be. Once I can ground myself enough to realize I'm frozen or I'm fawning, I tend to start by either reaching out to a friend via text (I hate talking on the phone-Hello social anxiety) or putting on a show I love and know well which kind of resets me (Schitt's Creek, Ted Lasso and Big Bang Theory are ones I've seen a million times so I know what's coming and it feels safe, like a warm blanket wrapped around me).

#Trauma #traumaresponses #PTSD #Selfsoothing #Selfcare

I’m not gonna lie, one of my biggest peeves is waking up to dirty dishes in my sink. Nothing and I do mean NOTHING sours my mood faster, especially if there is still leftovers caked inside.
I recently stated in a previous post that cleaning was my new ‘happy place’. I am being generous when I say that bc I’m sure the people in my house would say I’m fairly militant about it now. To be fair there are five kids here too.
So, when I saw the pic above I laughed out loud at the absurd accuracy at which I would probably say this to my oldest 😂😂😂. Because I’m serious about to make him live outside if he doesn’t get his shit together.

#Anxiety #Selfsoothing #Cleaning

this is my current read, a modern classic that has some of the most beautiful writing I've ever read. seriously, the way the author describes nature and weaves in important themes is mind-blowing. does anyone else find reading helpful for coping and relaxing? Living in a character's shoes and living their life for a while helps me both forget, appreciate, and learn insights about my own. #coping #Selfsoothing #Selfcare #Depression #Anxiety #hobbies

I have one in my car and one in my house. Do you know what a self-soothing Kit is?

#Selfcare #Meditation #Calmapp #ArtTherapy #Selfsoothing #DBT #Chocolate #EssentialOils #Music #Journaling